SCBS’ Center for Impact grand opening is a milestone

After years of hard work and perseverance, it was incredibly special to celebrate the long-awaited opening of SBCS’ new Center for Impact in the heart of Chula Vista — a community-centered facility that will allow us to provide critical resources and support services to at least 10,000 more children, youth and families each year.

What once felt like a dream has today become reality, as we are finally able to open the doors to a community center where staff — which has grown from a team of six when I joined the organization more than 40 years ago to nearly 500 employees today — and residents can work, heal, and thrive together. Designed in partnership with Promotoras and Resident Leaders who know their communities best, the new facility brings people and resources together to serve more than 60,000 residents annually.

But this milestone represents so much more than a building. It’s a promise to families across San Diego County that we will continue to grow with them, meet the moment, and ensure that every child, youth, and family in our region has the opportunity to build a brighter future.

For more than 50 years, SBCS (formerly South Bay Community Services) has become part of the community’s fabric, becoming one of our region’s most trusted social service providers. Our programs span homelessness, housing, youth development, domestic violence, education and community-based health. Within the Center for Impact, these programs will come to life with spaces for counseling, youth enrichment, civic engagement, a neighborhood computer lab and a staffed childcare space to remove barriers for parents seeking support.

Our community depends on us, and the need is greater than ever. This milestone comes as the nation braces for unprecedented federal funding cuts that threaten essential safety net services. But through changing times, our commitment to families remains steadfast: we will continue to meet families where they are, walking hand-in-hand with them through challenges and triumphs.

Thank you to our incredible community and generous donors for believing in our work and making the Center for Impact possible. With your support, this new facility will be a beacon of light for families when they need it the most for decades to come. I’m so proud of what we’ve built together — and even more excited for what’s ahead.

Kathryn Lembo is a resident of Point Loma and the President and CEO of SBCS.